For the most part, I'm over undead films. Although classics like 28 Days Later and the early episodes from The Walking Dead were enjoyable, the genre feels mostly exhausted nowadays. Even the much-awaited 28 Years Later remains gathering dust in my watchlist for months. However, Netflix's new Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, managed to subvert what I anticipated and proved quite entertaining.
Superb Pacing and Personal Growth
One of this movie's strongest strengths is its excellent pacing. It kicks off with a striking opening sequence where a calm family party is violently interrupted when a vehicle plows into the seating section. Out of the van, a very undead-looking stranger emerges and begins attacking the partygoers. This dramatic moment is immediately succeeded by a look back, allowing us to see the family prior to the tragedy occurred.
Unlike many undead movies, The Elixir truly gives viewers enough opportunity to get to know its main characters prior to the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother whose ex best friend, Karina, has become wed to her dad—an obviously uncomfortable dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably caused a rift between the two women. Then there's her sibling, Bang, who is kind-hearted yet socially awkward, and he loves playing video games with his nephew, Raihan. Nes' husband, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on her. The family patriarch is her dad, the owner of a popular natural medicine company called Wani Waras, and who appears focused on only two things: his business and his wife to Nes' ex-best friend. Unsurprisingly, this gathering is extremely tense.
Engaged in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the family's dynamics and their interpersonal drama to the point I almost forgot this was a horror film—which might sound like a drawback, yet ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a considerable amount of the film to showing us who each family member represents, and how they add to the overall dysfunction. This focus on conflicting traits enabled the audience to relate to the personalities sufficiently to care about their outcome—a rare feat for this style that often introduces individuals only to eliminate them shortly afterwards. The Elixir avoids portraying its cast as flat, expendable casualties for an army of the undead to devour, thus it's a real shock once events finally deteriorate.
Reminiscent of Parasite
The opening sequences of the party and various household exchanges in fact bring to mind the movie Parasite, a tale which disguises itself like a K-Drama featuring somewhat morbid comedy prior to making an abrupt turn toward "holy shit" ground. These early moments don't focus as much on humor as Parasite, but The Elixir still provides enough opportunity to immerse in the setting prior to everything gets upended.
Original Zombification Source
The film also offers a quite interesting reason for the source of the spreading zombification. Instead of a unintended laboratory incident or some sort of biological weapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch of Wani Waras natural medicines developed by her dad. Although some background is provided something regarding its origins, it would have been better if the movie had spent additional focus on how Wani Waras went from a trusted purveyor of holistic medicine to producing a deadly potion which seems to include an extremely infectious pathogen. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition has on humans is absolutely disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's undead are fast, freaky-looking, and, maybe most disturbingly, always smiling. This is a bold decision, but it succeeds. The Elixir's practical effects and CGI also appear very convincing, and are almost certain to trigger a fear of holes.
Capable Personalities
Even better compared to the gross-out moments are the characters themselves. Of course, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in any good undead film), however for the most part, Nes and her relatives show themselves resourceful and quick-thinking. They also don't hesitate to strike an undead in the face, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object they find rather than freezing like a deer in headlights while danger nears.
Believable Family Discord
The Elixir doesn't drop its themes of familial discord once individuals begin transforming to the undead, this proved a pleasantly realistic subversion from the "We don't get along|"We have issues, but you almost died so I instantly pardon you for everything! trope frequently used in apocalyptic movies. Obviously, Nes cares for her relatives and values her husband, Rudi, yet it's equally apparent she's still holding onto resentment regarding his infidelity of their marriage vows. Once the household gets separated, they decide via telephone to regroup at a nearby spot. However, once Bang admits he doesn't know how to get there, Nes unleashes an immense level of irritation on her brother which has obviously been brewing over time. Nes isn't flawless, and her family—with all their imperfections—feel authentic and relatable since the movie avoids attempting to promote the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves familial strife. This makes those instances where these individuals do show appreciation toward one another seem much more sincere.
Stereotypical Ending
Despite The Elixir's best attempts to innovate, the ending must be said to be somewhat formulaic. The Elixir isn't really offering up some profound insight about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily serving up frights. Yet these are successful scares, and since the movie allows every personality enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for having flaws, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
